Bedstead



NT sTATEs PATENT OEEIOE.

PELATIAH THOMPSON, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

BEDSTEAD.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 23,513, dated .April 5, 1859.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, PELATIAH THOMPSON, of Springfield, county of Clarke, in the State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bedsteads; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The nat-ure of my invention consists in certain improvements in the const-ruct-ion of elastic bedstead bottoms as hereinafter more fully described.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this application-Figure 1, represents a longitudinal vertical section through an ordinary four post bedstead embracing my improvements, Fig. 2, represents a vertical cross section through the same, and Fig. 3, represents a partial perspective view of one of the spring rails.

Similar letters denoting the same parts in the different views.

A, A, A, A, represents the posts of an ordinary bedstead, B, the head and B', the foot board, D, D, the side rails and C, C, the head and foot rails, all of which parts may be constructed and arranged together in the usual manner.

E, E, are two fiat strips, or fillets; which are supported along the inner sides of each of the rails (near their lower edges) by pro` jections, or auxiliary side rails D D and at each end by a block, a, protruding from the end rails, C. The said strips E, E, are so notched, out at their ends, m, (see Fig. 3.) as to interlock with the side rails, and blocks, a, in such manner that though they are firmly held longitudinally and laterally, they may be readily drawn up and out of their respective bearings. On the upper sides of the strips E, E, are arranged and secured a series of spiral springs ci, d, &c., (the formation of which is best understood from the drawings), one, for each end, of each one, of the slats, c, which support the bed; these slats, c, are made precisely similar to the ordinary cross slat, with the addition of a pin c, near each end projecting downward from the under surface, a suitable distance to enter the upper end of the spiral spring sufficiently to steady it, or

keep it in its proper vertical position; between each two of the slats at each end is secured upon the side rails, D, a dividing block, or strip, Z9, which block o keeps the slats in their proper positions laterally; while they are supported, wholly by the springs d, d, &c. It will be seen that this method of steadying the slats laterally, by the blocks, o, is equivalent to cutting a series of vertical slots, on the inner sides of the rails D, and making t-he slats c, a little longer, to pass into said slots; but I prefer the method illustrated and hereinbefore described viz: the blocks arranged and secured on the inner sides of the rails, because this method would be most advisable (economical) in applying my invention to old bedsteads.

It will be seen by reference to Fig. 1, that two of the blocks b, o (near the center of the bedstead) are allowed to run down, so far as, to come onto the upper surface of the spring rails, E, E. The object of allowing two (more or less) of these blocks to come down onto the rails, E, E, is to insure the retention of said rail, in its proper 4position; since if said rails had nothing to keep them down, they would be likely to fly up and out of place by any sudden strike, or concussion upon the bed.

It has before been remarked that the i strips E, are so arranged that they might be readily extricated from the bedstead, and I wish it to be understood that while the blocks, b, b, prevent the said strips from jumping up, they do not hinder their ready withdrawal from the bedstead.

It will be seen that with the construction and arrangement of parts already described a simple and effectual spring bottom is formed in which each and every slat is elastic severally or collectively and each at any and every point in it. It will also be seen that by the addition of the strips D D blocks a, and o, my improvement may be applied to any ordinary bedstead.

Having fully explained the construction and operation of my improved spring bedstead bottom, what I claim therein as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. The combination of the double series of helical springs el, with the removable holder` strips, E, mol series of cross slats, 0,' With when two oi' more are extended down to their steadyng pins, e, the Whole arranged to operate as and for the purposes specified.

2. In combination with the series of 5 slats, 0, operating with a series of springs,

as specified, and the removable holder strip E, I claim the series of guiding blocks, b,

prevent the removable strips E from jumping, as hereinbefore described.

' PELATIAH THOMPSON.

Witnesses:

REUBEN MILLER, TIMOTHY SPENCE. 

